Question about characters

[Marisa]

I've recently discovered the character features. However, I have a problem. If I have different books in a series, all of them with the same character, when I add the character with a books, it appears in the character's page for adding as many times as books where it's included. Is it right?

[Sandra]

Yep, that's what happens.

[Marisa]

But, is it a bug or a feature?

[Dori]

Information on how to deal with this is in the Librarian Manual.

 In some cases, a character will have only one name, 
 like "Angel," or a very common name, like "John Smith." 
 Make every attempt to distinguish the character with a 
 unique name; the character's common name can be placed 
 in the "Alias" field. If this is not possible, then add 
 a short version of the book or series title in 
 parentheses to distinguish between characters with the 
 same name.

[mlady_rebecca]

Marisa wrote: "But, is it a bug or a feature?"

I'm leaning towards bug, but it's one we've been living with.

[Marisa]

Dori wrote: "Information on how to deal with this is in the Librarian Manual.

In some cases, a character will have only one name,
like "Angel," or a very common name, like "John Smith."
Make e..."

I'll try to explain myself better. Imagine I edit "Avery Andrews series, #1" and I add "Avery Andrews character" (none to select). Now, I edit "Avery Andrews series, #2", add a character and select "Avery Andrews" in the list (don't write it). Then I edit "Avery Andrews, #3", add a character and I have TWO Avery Andrews for selecting between them. If I select one of them and I edit the four book in the series, there will be THREE Avery Andrews. That's the problem, not two different characters with the same name.

[Sandra]

Yep, that's what I said in post two. That's what happens. I've always thought of it as annoying, definitely not a feature, but just what happens.

[Marisa]

Sandra wrote: "Yep, that's what I said in post two. That's what happens. I've always thought of it as annoying, definitely not a feature, but just what happens."

OK, I hadn't used it till now, so I didn't know and I've asked because of that.

[willaful]

I think that happens with quotes authors, too. IIRC, if you don't take the suggestion, they make a new one.

[MissJessie]

Sorry Will, what do you mean?

[willaful]

I think when I added a quote, they suggested the author's name, I just kept typing instead of clicking on it, and wound up with a second version of the same author. It was a while ago though, so I may not be remembering correctly.

[Dori]

Marisa wrote: "I'll try to explain myself better. Imagine I edit "Avery Andrews series, #1" and I add "Avery Andrews character" (none to select). Now, I edit "Avery Andrews series, #2", add a character and select "Avery Andrews" in the list (don't write it). Then I edit "Avery Andrews, #3", add a character and I have TWO Avery Andrews for selecting between them."

Oops, sorry 'bout that, I totally misunderstood when I read that...